US1660848A - Machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 28, 1928. R. E. RUNDELL MACHINE FOR CRIMPING PLASTIC CAPS 0N BOTTLES Filed April 7. 1925 Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,660,848 PATENT OFFICE.

RUPERT n. RUNDELL. or ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW YORK, Assrenon r0 LAimwEsr CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR CRIMPING; PLASTIC CAPS ON BOTTLES.

Application filed April 7,

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for crimping plastic caps on bottles or other containers, and its main object is the production of a machine of this general character which is inexpensive to build and operate, and which has sufficient capacity for use by farmers and dairymen who bottle small quantities of milk or other commodities daily and who can not afford to use the power-driven machines used by bottlcrs of larger quantities. With this and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the inventionconsists in certain combinations and constructions which'will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, Fig. 1 is a general View, in perspective, of amachine constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the parts on the bed plate; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the crimper and adjacent parts; Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the action of the actuating levers; Fig.6 is a plan View of the bottle and cap centering device; Fig. 6 illustrates the method of locking the annular coil spring which holds the crimping fingers to their duty; Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of the heating chamber; Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the action of the crimper; and Fig. 9 is a detail view of the trip lever actuating the centering device.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a source of cap su ply in which caps are stacked and from w ich they are removed one by one, a cap heater operating to successively heat the caps to soften them for application to bottle tops, a table forming the bottom of said source and said heater, a crimping die in said table, and means for pushing caps over said table from said source to said heater and thence to said die. These parts and devices may be widely varied in construction within the .scope of the claims, for the specific structure selected to illustrate the invention is but one of numerous possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, it not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a hand or manually-actuated lever 1,

1928. Serial No. 100,399.

ad ustably secured to the hub of the forked lever 2 wh1c h actuates the crim er by the connecting links 3 pivoted to t e crimper plate 4 (Fig. 3).

he crimper comprises the plate 4, integral with the bosses 5 in which slide the ide rods 6 of the die 7, the coil-springs 8 ho ding the crimper and die in resilient relation. The plate 4 has the socket recesses 9 which, with the lock-plate 10, provide a socket bearmg for the crimper fingers 11. The rollers 0t these fingers are kept pressin against the cr mper plunger 12 by means 0 the annular coil-sprlng 13, the ends of which are locked together by means of a smaller coil-spring 14 threaded between the coils of the larger spring (Fig. 6). The crimper fingers are guided by the slots in the guide-bell 15 and in the guide plate 18.

The bottle to be capped is placed on the adpistable support 19 and centered at the bottom by the V-guide 19. A cap having been placed on the die by means to be hereinafter described, the lever 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow, bringing crimper and die down on the top of the bottle, which has just previously been centered at its top by the centering device on the under side of the die. This centering device consists of the pivoted levers 20, provided with beveled lugs 21 which simultaneously grip the top of the bottle when the levers are turned in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 5), by the knob 22 which engages the oblique trip lever 23 onthe down stroke of the crimper. The trip lever is pivoted to the bed plate (Fig. 9) and is held in an Oblique position by means of the spring 24, the stop 25 determining its initial position. As the crim er die descends, the knob 22 is forced sidewise until 9 it can go no farther and then forces the lever back to the dotted position. When the lever and knob are disengaged, the lever springs back. This device makes it possible to use the same centering device for bottles of different diameters, since the trip lever will always yield as soon as the knob becomes stationary by the action of the centering lugs in engaging the bottles.

The levers 20, which are interconnected by means of the links 26, are pulled back to their ori inal position by the s rings 27, as soon as t e knob is allowed to y1e1d,in order to pass by the trip lever by the turning of the spring latch 28 to which it is fastened,

and which is provided with a stop to prevent the knob from yielding on the downstroke.

The die, which is normall in contact w1th the rollers of the crimper n ers is pushed down over the top of the bottle, the plunger die 12 forcing the cap into the neck of the bottle. As the crimper and die continue to move downwardly, the cap is drawn between the die and the rollers, impart1ng to it a corrugated appearance, and then folded over the top of the bottle (Fig. 8). On the up stroke the coil spring 29 will continue to hold the crimper plunger in contact with the bottle, allowing the 'ngers to be withdrawn upwardly over the protruding rim of the bottle neck.

The entire crimper, by means of the sleeve 30, slides up and down in the support 31, the crimper plunger having an additional sliding movement in the sleeve 30 by means of the stem 32, the spring 29 holding the sleeve and plunger in resilient relation. The crimper die is kept pressing against the rollers by the action of the spring 8. In Fig. 3, for the sake of clearness, the die has been depicted at some distance away from the crimper, and only one centering lever is shown, so as not to obscure the drawing. Fig. 5 gives the correct relation of die and centering levers.

When the crimper fingers have been held around the cap long enough to allow'the caps to cool and become set rigidly on the bottle, the lever 1 is moved back to its neutral osition, which is reached when the catch pin 33 engages the depression 34 in the guide groove of the plate 35 attached to the crimper support. The capped bottle is removed and an uncapped bottle is placed on the support 19. The lever 1 is then moved to the'right-hand dotted position shown in Fig. 4. This movement brings the transfer arms to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2. The lever 1 is then brought back to the neutral position. This brings the transfer levers back to the full-line osition shown in Fig. 2. The lever 1 is t en brought down to.the left-hand position shown in Fig. 4, this movement crimping the cap on the bottle.

When the stacker transfer has been moved from the dotted position shown in Fig. 2 to the full-line osition, a cap has been pushed over the tabie to the heating chamber, the hot cap transfer being then'in the full-line position. The lever 1 is then pushed farther back and the pawl 36 (Fig. 4), pivoted to the extension 37 of the forked lever 2, engages the pin 38 of the transfer actuating lever 39, this lever being then moved to the dotted-line position. The lever 39 is connected with the lever 40 of the hot cap transfer 41 and turns it, through the agency of its fulcrum shaft 40' until it reaches the position shown in the dotted lines, the heated cap being thus transferred to the die over the table. The transfer 41 is stopped by the pin 41 abutting the boss of the heating chamber, the cap being stopped by the pins 42 on the die, thus ensuring a central position (if the cap on the die. The stacker transfer 43 and the hot cap transfer 41 are connected by means of the link 44 and move in unison. The stacker transfer, when moving back to the dotted position, allows the lowermost cap to drop on the table.

The operation of the machine has two distinct phases: The ca transferring phase, by moving the lever 1 rom neutral position in a direction opposite to that indicated lay the arrow, and back again to neutral, the is in the meantime remaining level With the bed plate or table; and the crimping phase by moving the lever 1 from the neutral position in the direction of the arrow. In the latter case, the pawl 36, coming into contact with the bolt 46, dis'engages itself from the pin 38 and trails over the pin to the position 48 shown in dotted lines. The nick of the pawl is shaped to cause the nose of the pawl to clear the bolt 46 when coming down, thus allowing the pin 38 to engage, whereas the nose of the pawl hits the bolt 46 when going up, which causes the pin 38 to disengage and disconnect the transfer mechanism.

In the heating chamber 49 (Fig. 7), the plate 50 is kept firmly pressed down on the cap, to insure quick and uniform heating of the same, by the springs 51. When the cap is about to be transferred to the crimper die, the plate 50 is lifted by the roller 52 which is pushed up by the cam block 53 of the transfer-connecting arm 44, thus releasing the heated cap and allowing the transfer arm to pass underneath. The heating chamber has a vent hole 54 at the top and is provided with the thermometer 55. The heating chamber is bolted to the table 56 with sufficient clearance to allow the transfers to pass in and out. The stacker, consistin of the cylindrical container or magazine 5 is similarly bolted to the table 56, so that the stacker transfer may pass underneath it for its full length.

The heating device comprises the fuel tank 61, cast integral with the table 56, and provided with a filler plug 58. The fuel is pipedto the burner 59. and is pre-heated by the pipe 60 passing over the burner between two rows of flames. The vaporized fuel then passes through the needle valve 62 into the burner. The heated air passes through the chimney 63 into theheating chamber through the opening 64 in the table.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the various operations and their relation to the movements of the lever 1 are as follows: When the f ing chamber to-the die, both transfer arms going to the dotted position; from III to II, a cold cap is transferred'from the source of supply to the heating chamber; from II to I,

a hot cap is crimped on a bottle; at rest at I, the crim ed cap is cooling, and another one is being eated. A few seconds are required for both operations.

What is claimed is:- r

1. In a machine for crimpin plastic caps on bottles, the combination wit a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a

table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimpin die associated with said table, and means w ereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating cham- V ber and said die. .2. In a machine for crimpin plastic caps on bottles, the combination wit a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber,a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimpin die associated with said table, and means w lereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to saidheating chamber and said die, said source includin a cylindrical magazine supported by sai table and having its bottom cut away. topermit said means to push out the lowermost cap in said magazine.

3. In a machine on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber atable.

forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimpin die associated with saidtable, and means w iereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, said heatin chamber being supported by said table an having its bottom 'cut away to permit said means to push caps in and out of said chamber.

4:. In a machine for crimpin plastic caps on bottles, the combination wit a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of sald source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said-source and successively presented tosaid heating chamber and said die,'and a plate within said chamber engaging a cap resting on said table during the heating operation.

5. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated for crimping plastic caps with said table means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, and a spring-pressed and cam-released plate within said chamber engaging a cap resting on said table during the heating operation.

6. Ina machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, a communicatingchimney below said chamber, and a burner at the bottom of said chimney.

7. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of ca supply, of a cap heating chamber, a ta 1e forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber andsaid die, a communicating chimney beldw said chamber, a burner at the bottom of said chimney, and a fuel pre-heater crossing the top of said burner.

8. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heatingchamber, a crimping die associated with said table, and means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said SOUIcG and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, said means including operative connections, a plate pushing caps from said source to said heating chamber, and another plate pushing caps from said heating chamber to said die. a 9. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, and means whereby caps are pushed 'over said table from said source and succemively presented to said heating chamber and said die, said means including operative connections, two connected swing plates, one pushin caps from said source to said heating cham er, and the other pushing caps from said heating chamber to said die. 10. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, and means associated with said die for centering a bottle with respect to a ca on said die.

11. n a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over-said table from said source and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, and a bottle centering device associated with said die and including a series of movably) connected fingers engaging the top of a ottle. v

12. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over saidtable and successively presented to said heating. chamber and said die, and a bottle centering device associated with said die and including a series of movably connected fingers engaging the top of a bottle, and tripmechanism for releasing said fingers after they have centered a bottle..

13. In a machine for crimpin plastic caps.

. on bottles, the combination wit asource of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table and successlvel presented to said heating chamber and said die,

a crimping device above said table, and

means whereby said device is caused to cooperate with said die incrimping a cap on a bottle.

14. In a machine for crimpin plastic caps on bottles, the combination wit a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and exheating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table and successively presented to said heating chamber and salddie a crimping device above said table, an

table forming the bottom of said source and,

extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping dieassociated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table and successively pretending to and forming the bottom of said sented to said heating chamber and said die,

a crimping device above said table, a bottle support below said table, and means whereby said device is depressed to cause it to engage a cap on said die and cause said cap to engage the top of a bottle on said support.

16. In a machine for crimping plastic caps on bottles, the combination with a source of cap supply, of a cap heating chamber, a table forming the bottom of said source and extending to and forming the bottom of said heating chamber, a crimping die associated with said table, means whereby caps are pushed over said table and successively presented to said heating chamber and said die, a crimping device above said table, a bottle support below said table, and means for depressing said device tocause it to engage a cap on said die and cause said cap to engage the top of a bottle on said support, both of said means being connected with and operated by a manually-actuated lever.

Intestimony whereof,'I have signed my name to this specification.

RUPERT E. RUNDELL,

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